More than 500 people in Vientiane gathered at the Patuxay Monument early Saturday morning for the Lao-Singapore Charity Run to raise funds for Pongsong village in Hinheup district, Vientiane province.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Dr Thongloun Sisoulith led the run, which started and finished at Patuxay Park via the Presidential Palace.
It was the third time the charity run had been organised by the Laos-Singapore Friendship Club.
The event aimed to raise funds for the construction of water tanks and clean water systems, as well as extensions to the local school and community hall in Pongsong village.
The fundraising wasn't limited to the run, with other activities, including raffles, dancing and a photo exhibition capturing the daily lives of Pongsong village children, contributing to the cause .
Speaking at the opening of the event, Singaporean Ambassador to Laos Mr Dileep Nair said "This charity run is very significant for a number of reasons; firstly, it's a very healthy activity. I know it's very nice to sleep in on a Saturday morning, but it's even better to be active and enjoy a healthy lifestyle."
"Secondly, the money that we're raising is going towards charity work. Since we started the run two years ago, we've raised money for many schools, including the reconstruction of some in Saravan province that were badly damaged by tropical storm Ketsana."
"Last year, we raised money for a motorcycle repair centre at the Somsangna Drug Rehabilitation Centre and this year we want to help the people of Pongsong village to improve their school and community hall."
"This third run is very significant, because it's a visible form of Laos-Singapore cooperation which shows that, although we are two countries in Asia with different development statuses, we can come together and run joint projects."
He said this year's fundraising event was organised by volunteers from two groups: the Laos-Singapore Friendship Club, which comprises alumni from Singaporean universities and members of the Singaporean community in Laos, and the Langkorng Photography Club, which exhibited an impressive range of photos taken of Pongsong village.
